Irene Mary Sherman Littlewind, “Itoncha Was’te Win” (Good Leader Woman) 84, of Crow Hill, rural Fort Totten, N.D., died Sunday, November 11, 2012 at her home.
There will be a Rosary and vigil service at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Fort Totten on Friday, November 16 beginning at 7 p.m. The procession to the church will leave at 4 p.m. Friday from the Nelson Funeral Home in Minnewaukan. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 17 at 10 a.m. at Seven Dolors Catholic Church with Fr. Charles Leute, O.P. and Deacon Tony McDonald celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery at Crowhill. The Nelson Funeral Home of Minnewaukan is in charge of the arrangements.
The active casket bearers will be Jay Littlewind, Zitkana Maza Old Rock, Chico Flute Player, Roger (RJ) IronHawk, Jr., Robert Littlewind and Shawn Dog Skin. The honorary bearers will be Vina and Tony McDonald, Charlotte and Bill Monette, Clarice and Joseph Lawrence, Renita and Waylon Shaw, Sylvia Brown Shield, Darlene Wadsworth, Stella Sherman Cavanaugh, Pauline Grey Water, Helena LittleGhost, Libby Littleghost, Herminia McKay, Margie Ross, Midge Jenson, Winona Fox, Deanna Hanson and all members of Irene’s Prayer Group. Music will be from Tony and Vina McDonald and the drum group, GXP.
Irene Mary Sherman Littlewind, “Itoncha Was’te Win” (Good Leader Woman) was born March 2, 1928 in Fort Totten to Benedict and Rosalie (Bear) Sherman. She was educated at the Little Flower Indian Mission and United Tribes Educational Technical College for Nursing. In 1946, Irene married John Baptiste Littlewind, Sr. at Minnewaukan. She was employed at the Jamestown State Hospital, St. Jude’s Nursing Home, Sioux Manufacturing and the Cultural Preservation Program.
She was a devoted Catholic, loved singing and praying with her prayer group. Irene was a member of St. Mary’s Society Prayer Group and enjoyed going to pow wows and rodeos. She traveled all over the U.S. attending the Tekawitha Conferences. Also, Irene enjoyed making star quilts, going to bingo, playing cards, reading, visiting with family and friends, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Irene is survived by three daughters; Donelda Littlewind and Volante Littlewind both of Fort Totten, Gaylene Iron Hawk of Sioux City, Iowa; five sons, Dallas Littlewind, Sr., Raybert ‘Rocky’ Littlewind, Sr., Harlan Littlewind, Newlyn Littlewind all of Fr. Totten and Waylon Littlewind of Jamestown, N.D.; three adopted sons, Jack Dauphinais, Lance Black Lance and Doug Michels; 57 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a sister, Cora Rose Sherman Iceman; two cousins: Stella Sherman Cavanaugh and Solomon Sherman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Benedict and Rosalie (Bear) Sherman; four sisters, Rachel Smith Twohearts, Sara Hopkins Left Bear, Cora Sherman and Angeline Sherman DuBois; four brothers, Harry Hopkins, Benedict, Raymond and Joseph Sherman; adopted brother, Francis Hairy Chin; two daughters, Sandra Litttlewind Slim Jim and Maureen Littlewind Fournier; son, John Littlewind Jr.; two grandchildren, Rodney Fournier, Jr., and Delin John Littlewind; three great-grandchildren, Mason Dog Skin, Debra Dog Skin and Wicaghpi Duta Littlewind.
The Nelson Funeral Home of Minnewaukan is in charge of the arrangements.